Control apparatus



Oct. 14, 1924. 1,511,374

K. A. SlMMON CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1919 7b plpe 2a INVENTORATTORNEY WITNESS ating a switching device through a plurality.

Patented Oct. 14, 1924.

KARL A. SIKION, OI EDGEWOOD PARK,

PATENT OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB '10 TING- HOUSE 114M310 6; IAJNUFACTURINGCOIPANY, A. CORPORATION OI PENNSYL- VANIA.

con'rnon arrmrus.

Application med December 8, 1918. Serial Io. 348,118.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that/l, KARL A. SIMMON, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State. ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in ControlApparatus, of which the following is a specification..

My invention relates to control apparatus and it has special relation topower-operated controlling means for electric railway motors and thelike.

One object of my present invention is to provide a ower-operated device,preferably of the flui -pressure-opcrated type, for actuofoperativepositions for effecting series and parallel control of a plurality ofdriving motors, together with means for arresting the switching devicemovement at a predetermined point, such as, the full series position,and means responsive to the amount of instantaneously active power inthe device, that is, the degreeof fluid-pressure available, forwithdrawing the arrestin means.

ore specifically stated, it is one object of my invention to provide afluid-pressureoperated mechanism for the above-indicated purpose,together with a latch that is normally biased to engage the switching dcvice in its full series position and a fluidpressure interlock forcompleting the circuit of an actuating coil for the latch if apredetermined degree of fluid-pressure is instantaneously available inthe operating device. whereby further movement of the switching deviceto its parallel-connecting position is prevented unless a suitabledegree of power, that is, fluid-pressure, is available.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in conjunctionwith an actu ating and interlocking mechanism of the above-describedcharacter, a regulating or adjusting device whereby the period ofoperation of the switching device and, therefore, the acceleratingperiod of the vehicledriving motors, may be varied at will.

Viewed from another angle, it is the object of my invention to provide acontrol system of the class under consideration whereby the switchingdevice is checked in the series troller has sition and, at the sametime, a suitable degree of fluid-pressure is available.

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the main circuits ofa system of control to which my invention may be applied;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view, partially in section, of an arrangementof circuits and control apparatus for efiectin the desired control andinterlocking functions; and

Fig. 3 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, ofthe controlling magnet valve that is employed in the system shown inFig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the system here shown comprisessuitable supply-circuit conductors Trolley and Ground; a plurality ofelectric motors respectively osition unless the master conhavingcommutator-t pe armatures A1 and A2 and series field windings F 1 andF2; an accelerating resistor R; and a pluralit of controlling switchesLS, R1, R2, P, G. The illustrated system is of a familiar type embodyingthe shunting form of transition and, consequently, no detaileddescription of the circuits is deemed necessary here.

Referring to Fig. 2, the governing system shown comprises a controlleror sequence switch 1 which may be of the well-known drum type or may bea slidable plate, the switching device being provided with anelectrically-controlled pneumatically-operated actuating mechanism 2,while a latching device or arresting means 3 for the switching device isprovided, together with a fluid-pressure interlock 4. The switchingdevice 1 is adapted to govern the circuit connections for the actuatingcoils of the various switches that are shown in Fig. 1, while a mastercontroller MC, having operative positions s and p, standing for seriesand parallel operation of the motors, respectively, and a battery B orother suitable source of energy, are provided for primarily governingthe system operation.

The switching device or sequence switch 1 is adapted to occupy aplurality of operan actuated to its parallel potive positions a to f,inclusive, the distance 7 prise either a rotatable drum or a slidableplate 6 which carries a' suitably configured contact segment 7 forselectively engaglng a plurality of control fingers 8 to .14, inclusive.

In the full series position a, a wedge or stop 15 is secured to thecontroller member 6 for the purpose of engaging the latching device orarresting means 3, as subsequently described in detail.

The actuating mechanism 2 comprises a piston 17 that operates within asuitable cylinder 18 and has a rod or stem 19 suitabl connected to thesequence switch 1 for e fecting the desired movement thereof. coilspring 20 surrounds the piston rod 19 and is adapted to bias the piston17 and the sequence switch 1 toward the illustrated positions. Therespective positions occup ed by the piston 17 when the switching dev ce1 is moved to its several positions a to f,'1nelusive, are designated bythe reference characters 0; to f, inclusive. The distances between thepiston positions are, of course,

graded in the same manner as the distances between notches of theswitching device 1.

A magnet valve 21, shown in detail in Fig. 3, communicates through apipe or passage 22 with the operating cylinder 18, whereby atmosphericpressure is normally present in the cylinder. However, a fluidpressuresupply pipe 23 leads into the lower compartment, of the magnet valveand, upon the energization of an actuating CO1l2l:,fl11l(l pressure isadmitted through the valve to the pipe 22 and the operating cylinder 18,while the normal atmospheric communication is cut oil. While thepreferred form of magnet valve will be. subsequently described inconnection with Fig. 3, the diagrammatic showing of 'Fig. 2 issuflicient to illustrate the operating principles of my invention.

The latching device or arresting means 3 may assume any convenient formand is here shown as comprising a wedge-shaped rod or bar 30, which isattached to a magnetizable core member 31 around which is wound anactuating coil 32. This coil, when energized, is adapted to withdraw thelatch 3 to its lowerposition, in opposition to the action of a biasingspring 32, that normally maintains the latching device in.- itsillustrated upper position. The arrangement of parts is such that thelatch 30 and the stop or wedge 15 on the switching device 1 come into001 tact when the switching device reaches its series position 0.

The fluid-pressure interlock 4 may comprise a piston 35 traveling withinavsuitable operating cylinder 36 and which is biased toward theillustrated left-hand position by means of a coil spring 37. The pistonrod or stem 38 terminates without the cylinder 36 in a suitablyinsulated contact disk or plate 39 that is adapted to bridge a pluralitof control fingers 40 and 41 when the flui pressure interlock occupiesits extreme righthand position. A pipe 42 effects communication betweenthe c linders 18 and 36, for a purpose to be set' orth.

Assuming that it is desired to effect acceleration of the illustratedmotors to their full series position, the master v controller MC isthrown to its initial operating position a, whereupon a circuit isestablished from one terminal of the battery B- through conductor 45,control fingers 46 and 47, which are bridged by contact segment 48 ofthe master controller, conductor 49, junctionpoint 49, conductor 50,control fingers 8 and 9, which are bridged by contact segment 7 of theswitching device 1, conductor 51, actuating coil of the line switch LS,conductors 52 and 53, junction-point 54 and conductors 55 and 56 to theopposite terminal of the battery.

Another circuit is concurrently established from the contact segment 7of the switching device 1 through conductor 57 and the actuating coil ofthe switch S to negative conductor 52.

The motors are thus connected in series relation with the acceleratinresistor R across the supply circuit, as wi 1 be a preciated withoutdetailed tracing of t e circuits of Fig. 1.

At the same time, another auxiliary circuit is continued from thejunction-point 49 through conductor 60, actuating coil 24 of the magnetvalve 21 and conductor 61, to the negative conductor 56.

In this way, fluid-pressure is admitted from the supply pipe 23 throughthe magnet valve 21 to the operating cylinder 18, whereupon the piston17 gradually' moves toward the right to correspondingly actuate theswitching device 1 into its successive positions 6 and 0, respectively.

In position 6, control finger 10 is engaged by contact segment 7 to comlets the energizing circuit for the actuating coil of the switch R1,while, in position 0, the actuating coil of the switch R2 is energizedthrough the agency of control finger 11 and contact segment Theaccelerating resistor R is thus gradually short-circuited to efiect asmooth acceleration of the motors, which are connected in full seriesrelation when the switching device 1 reaches its position 0.

Although fluid-pressure, of a reduced value, is still present in theoperating cylinder 18 after the switching device 1 reaches its positiona, nofurther movement of the switching device can occur, by reason ofautomatic control of the sequence switch 1 only as far as the seriesposition 0. As previously mentioned, the graded distances betweennotches ab, b-c, etc. on the switchwhence circuit is com leted throughjunction-point 54 and con uctor 55 to the negative battery terminal.

Such energization of the actuating coil 32 serves to withdraw the latch30 to its lower position free of the stop wedge 15, whereby theconstantly-present fluid-pressure in the operating cylinder 18 againactgates the switching device 1 toward the rig 't.

After the sequence switch- 1 leaves its ing device I serve to ensureequal time eleseries position 0, control finger 13 engages ments betweenthe operating positions of contact segment 7 to complete the circuit theswitching device, thus providing a deof the actuatin sirably smoothmotor acceleration.

It willbe observed that, asyfsoon as piston 17 of the actuatingmechanism 2 reaches its position 0', corresponding to series position 0of the sequence switch 1, the pipe 42, which communicates with thefiuid-pressure interlock 4, is in positlon to recelve whatever degree offluid-pressure is present in the lefthand or vacant portion of theoperating cylinder 18. Consequently, the plston 35 of the fluid-pressureinterlock 4 will be actuated toward the right to effect abridging of thestationary control fingers 40 and 41 by the contact disk or plate 39,rovided that the fluid-pressure present in t e operating cylinders 18and 36 exceeds a predetermined value for which the fluid-pressureinterlock is set or adjusted. Preferably, this critical value is a smallamount, such as five pounds pressure above one-half of the normalfluid-supply pressure.

By the use of the fiuid-premure interlock 4 under the conditions setforth, further actuation of the switching device 1 by the operatingmechanism 2 is positively prevented by the latching device 3, unless asufiicient amount of power, that is a sufiiciently high degree offluid-pressure is available to ensure the desired movement of theswitching device 1 to the full parallel position f. If theabove-mentioned predetermined value of fluid-pressure is not present inthe main operating cylinder 18 after the switching device 1 has reachedits series position 0, then the fluid-pressure interlock 4 is notactuated to bridge control fingers 40 and 41. In this case, theactuating coil 32 of the latching device 3 remains deenergized andfurther movement of the switching device 1 is thereby restrained.

However, if the desired degree of fluidpressure is present, then thecontrol fingers 40 and 41 are bridged by the contact plate 39 and, assoon as the master controller MC is actuated to its parallel position p,a new circuit is established from the contact segment 48 through controlfinger 65,

coil for the parallel-connecting switch and control finger 12 thenbecomes disengaged from contact segment 7 to effect the opening of the.series-connect ing switchS. The closure of the other paral-Isl-connecting switch G is then brought about by the engagement ofcontrol finger 14 and contact segment 7. Consequently, in position dofthe sequence switch 1, the motors are connected in parallel relation,with the accelerating resistor R again connected in circuit.

In positions 6 and f of the sequence switch 1, the'resistor=short-circuiting switches R1 and R2 are again closed insuccession to effect a smooth acceleration of the motors to fullparallel relation.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a pneumatic actuatingmechanism for a switching device, whereby equal time elements betweennotches are provided, and the switching device is maintained in itsseries position unless the master controller is actuated to its parallelposition and, in addition,'apredetermined value of fluidpressure ispresent in the pneumatic mechanism.

Referring to the structural view, Fig. 3, illustrating the magnet valve21, the apparatus shown comprises a suit-able enclosing case 75 for theactuating coil 24, a central stationary core 76 and a movable spindle 77which has attached to its upper end a slidable magnetizable armature(not shown), in accordance with a familiar magnet-valve construction.The lower end of the spindle 77 constitutes a double-plug valve 78,which is biased by the spring 7 9'to its upper position to normally cutoff communication of an inlet or supply opening 80 which communicateswith the pipe 23, with a delivery port or opening 81 leading into pipe22. Normally, the delivery opening 81 is placed in communication withthe exhaust or release port 82, as illustrated.

For adjusting the rate of supply of fluidpressure to the magnet valve 21and operating cylinder 18, whereby the period of operation of theswitching device 1 and, therefore, the accelerating period of thedriving motors may be regulated at will, an adjusting device is shown asfitted into the threaded portion 83 for insertion within the inletopening 80, an'intermediate chamber 84, into which the supply pipe 23leads, and i an outer threaded section 85 with which a scaling cap ornut 86 is associated. A SPID- dle or needle 87 extends through the threesections of the adjusting device, having a gradually tapered or pointedinner end 88, a plurality of ribs or projections 89 being preferablyprovided within the section 83 to limit the movement of the spindle 87toward the right and thus prevent the supply of air to the magnet valve21 from being entirely cut oil.

An intermediate portion 90 of the spindle 87 is also threaded to fitwithin the central opening of the section 85, the outer face of which isprovided with an aperture or recess 91 which is filled with a suitablepacking material. The outer end of the spindle 87 is provided with aknurled nut, 92, or the like, whereby-rotative movement of the nut 92serves to effect a movement of translation of the threaded spindle 87 toincrease or diminish the size of the entrance opening to the magnetvalve 21. In this way, the supply of fluid-pressure from the pipe 23 isthrottled down or reduced in value to adjust the degree of pressure thatis admitted to the operating cylinder 18, whereby the desiredtime-element regulation of the motor acceleration may be obtained atwill.

I do not wish to be restricted to the specific structural details,circuit connections or arrangement of parts herein .set forth, asvarious modifications thereof may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only suchlimitations shall be imposed upon my invention as are indicated in theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a power-operated device, of means for arrestingthe movement thereof at a predetermined point, and means responsive tothe amount of instantaneously active power within the device foractuating said arresting means.

2. The combination with a fluidpressureoperated device, of means forarresting the movement thereof at a predetermined stage,-

and means responsive to the degree of fluidpressure instantaneouslyavailable within the device for actuating said arresting means.

3. The combination with a. power-operated device, of a latch biased toengage said device in a predetermined position, and means responsive tothe amount of instantaneously active power within the device forwithdrawing said latch.

4. The combination with a multi-position tion fluid-pressure-operateddevice, of means for selectively actuating said device to a givenposition or to a more remote position if the degree of fluid-pressureinstantaneously available within the device exceeds a predeterminedvalue.

6. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motorsand a switching device for efiecting seriesand parallel connectionthereof, of a power-operated device for actuating the switching device,means for arresting the movement thereof in the series-connectingposition, and means responsive to the amount of instantaneously activepower within the device for actuating said arresting means to permitmovement of the switching device to the parallelsconnecting osition.

7. The combination with a fluid-pressureoperated device, of means forarresting the movement thereof at a predetermined point, and afluid-pressure interlock inoperative except when the degree offluid-pressure available exceeds a predetermined value for completing anelectric circuit to render said arresting means inoperative.

8. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motorsand a switching device for efi'ecting series and parallel connectionthereof, of a fluid-pressure-operated device for actuating the switchingdevice, a latch biased to arrest the movement thereof in theseries-connecting position, and a controller for selectively actuatingthe switching device to the series-connecting position, or to theparallel-connecting position if the degree of fluid-pressureavailalbleexceeds a predetermined value.

9. The combination with a movable member, of a fluid-pressure operatingdevice therefor, a latch biased to arrest the movement of said member ina predetermined position, and a fluid-pressure interlock pneumaticallyconnected to said operating device for completing an electric circuit towithdraw said latch under certain pressure conditions.

10. The combination with a movable member, of a fluid-pressure operatingdevice therefor, a latch biased to arrest the movement of said member ina predetermined position, an actuating coil for said latch, and afluid-pressure interlock connected to receive fluid-pressure from saidoperating device when said member occupies said predetermined positionfor completing the circuit of said coil to withdraw the latch when thedegree of fluid-pressure exceeds apredetermined value.

11. The combination with a movable member, of anelectrically-controlled, fluidpressure operating device therefor, alatch biased to arrest the movement of said member in a predeterminedposition, an actuating coil for said latch, a fluid-pressure interlockconnected to receive fluid-pressure from said operating device when saidmember occupies said predetermined position, and electrical means foreffecting the actuation of the electrically-controlled operating deviceand for establishing, in one position, a circuit including thelatch-actuating coil and said interlock if the degree of fluidpressureexceeds a predetermined value, whereby the latch may be withdrawn topermit further opera-tion of said member.

12. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality of motorsand a switching device for effecting series and parallel 'connectionthereof, of an electrically-com trolled, fluid-pressure operating devicetherefor, a latch biased to arrest the movement of the switching device,in the seriesconnecting position, an actuating coil for said latch, afluid-pressure interlock connected 'to receive fluid-pressure from saidoperating device. when the switching device occupies theseries-connecting position, and a controller for effecting the actuationof the electrically-controlled operating device and for establishing, inone position, a circuit including the latch-withdrawing coil and saidinterlock if the degree of fluidpressure exceeds a predetermined value,

whereby the latch may be withdrawn to permit movement of the switchingdevice to the parallel-connecting position.

13. The combination with a power-operated device, of means for arrestingthe movement thereof at a. predetermined point,

means responsive to the amount of instantaneously active power in thedevice for actuating said arresting means, and means for adjusting therate of power application tosaid device 14. The combination with afluid-pressureoperated device, of a latch biased to engage said devicein a predetermined position, means responsive to the degree offluidpressure available for Withdrawing said latch, and means foradjusting the rate of admission of fluid-pressure to said device.

15. The combination with a multiposition fiuid-pressure-operated device,of means for selectively actuating said device to a given position or toa more remote position if the degree of fluid-pressure available exceedsa predetermined value, and means for adjusting the rate of admission offluidpressure to said device to correspondingly vary the operatingperiod of the device.

16. In a system of control, the combination with a plurality ofmotorsand a switching device for effecting series and parallelconnection thereof, of a fluid-pressure-operated device for actuatingthe switching device, a latch 'biased to arrest the movement thereof inthe series-connecting position, a fluid-pressure interlock responsive tothe degree of pressure available for withdrawing said latch to permitmovement of the switching device to the parallel-connecting position,and means for regulating the rate of admission of fiuid-pressure to thefluid-pressure-operated device to corresp-ondingly vary the acceleratingperiod of said motors.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 25th dayof Novenrber 1919.

KARL A. SIMMON.

